Universal joint.



No. 869,906. PATENTED NOV. 5.1907.- A. I. JACOBS.

UNIVERSAL JOINT.

- APPLICATION FILED D3019. 1906.

f1 7 TOR/MEX ARTHUR I. JACOBS, OF HARTFORD,

FACTURING COMPANY, OF CONNECTICUT.

CONNECTICUT, HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF ASSIGNOR TO THEJACOBS MANU- UNIVERSAL JOINT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 5, 1907.

Application filed December 19 1906- Serial No. 348.531-

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR I. JACOBS, a citizen of the United States,residing at Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State ofConnecticut, have invented a new and useful Universal Joint, of whichthe following is a specification.

This invention relates to a flexible joint for coupling the ends ofjournals, shafts or axles which extend at an angle to one another.

The object of the invention is the production of a flexible coupling oruniversal joint which is very simple to manufacture and to assemble,which has few parts and has no screws, studs or pins that can possiblywork loose, and in which the driving strains are near the peripherythereby producing a strong structure having comparatively little wearupon the moving parts.

The embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings has a pair of similar body members provided with ears havingoutwardly extending hubs or trunnions which extend into radial socketsin a broken ring that is held together by an encircling band.

Figure 1 of the drawings shows a side view of the joint. Fig. 2 shows acentral longitudinal section of same. Fig. 3 isa view of one end of thebodymember. Fig. 4 is a face view of the broken ring, Fig. 5 is a faceview of the ring inclosing band. Fig. 6 shows a sectional plan of thebroken ring and Fig. 7 shows an edge view of one section of the brokenring.

The body members of the form of joint illustrated are duplicates,although of course'they are not necessarily so. Each of these membershas a cylindrical section 1 shaped for connection with the end of ashaft, journal or axle. Extending from opposite sides at one end of eachmember are cars 2, and projecting radially from the ears are hubs ortrunnions 3. It is preferred that these trunnions be integral with thebody although of course this is not necessary to the invention. The endsof the bodies between the ears are so recessed that they will littogether yet work freely. These two parts when put together are inclosedby a ring 4 which has its inner walls shaped to fit the ears and hassockets to receive the trunnions. This ring is broken, as at 5, throughopposite trunnion sockets so it can be separated and placed about theears with the trunnions in their respective sockets. After this ring isset together a band 6 is slipped upon the split ring so as to inclose itand hold the parts together. I

In the periphery of the broken ring is a groove 7 and extending from theinterior of the ring and opening into this groove are passages 8. Theseprovide a ready means for applying lubricant to the joint.

When the trunnions are formed integral, whether the bodies are dropforgings or are turneddown from solid blocks, there are but four simpleparts to the joint and there is no possible chance for any of the partsto work loose. The trunnions however can be formed of separate studsscrewed, brazed, sweated, riveted or otherwise fastened into the bodies,and in this case they can not work loose for the reason that they areclosely held by the ring and the inclosing band.

This invention makes possible a joint without a loose pin or screwthread of any kind at any place. The parts are all simple to make andthey are very quickly assembled by merely encircling the ends of thebodies with the broken ring and then sliding upon it the in closing andfastening band. There are no screws to get loose and break off and nothreads to cut. There is no tendency for the band to release the ringfor all strain that it is required to withstand is at right angles tothe direction in which it must move to work off. Furthermore thetorsional pressure of the trunnions when driving is exerted out beyondthe periphery of the bodies so that the parts are strong and anytendency of the trunnions to spread the ring merely causes it to bindthe tighter in the band.

The invention claimed is 1. A flexible joint comprising a pair ofcomplementary body members each provided with a pair of integraltrunnions that project radially outward in opposite directions, a brokenring encircling the ends of the bodies and having sockets receiving thetrunnions, and a band encircling and holding the ring intact,substantially as specified.

2. A flexible joint comprising a pair of complementary body members eachprovided with a pair of trunnions that project radially outward inopposite directions, a ring en circling the ends of the bodies andhaving sockets receiving the trunnions, said ring being broken throughdiametrically opposite trunnion sockets, and a band encircling andholding the ring intact, substantially as specified.

ARTHUR I. JACOBS.

Witnesses HARRY R. WILLIAMS, LENA C. BERRY.

